One in three Vic cars fail safety test

Victorian motorists hitting the road during the holiday season are being urged to check their cars after one in three was found to fail basic safety tests.

One in three Vic cars fail safety test

10 December 2008

Victorian motorists hitting the road during the holiday season are being urged to check their cars after one in three was found to fail basic safety tests.

A Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) survey of 2,304 vehicles found 829 failed to meet safety standards in one or more of five areas including tyres, lights, steering, brakes and restraints.

VACC executive director David Purchase said the results were alarming.

"There is a slight improvement compared to the year-on-year figures from 2007, but to think every third vehicle on Victoria's roads, according to the survey, is unsafe and could endanger lives is very worrying," Mr Purchase said in a statement.

"It is all the more frustrating to know that these defects are ones that could easily be averted."

Mr Purchase said an expected increase in traffic due to a slowing economy and lower petrol prices would increase risks to road users.

"Drivers are responsible for the condition of the vehicle they are driving," he said.

"Our wish this Christmas is that all drivers ensure the vehicle they are driving is safe and roadworthy."